Facilitating teamwork in the NHS via an online social networking

platform

Facilitating teamwork in the NHS via an online social networking

platformSarah Bodell, Jackie Taylor, Ken Levins, Kate Hallsall, Michelle McEvoy

Sarah Bodell, Jackie Taylor, Ken Levins, Kate Hallsall, Michelle McEvoy

This work is a collaboration between the University of Salford and Lancashire Care Fundation Trust.

This work is a collaboration between the University of Salford and Lancashire Care Fundation Trust.

Michelle McEvoy

Clinical Specialist for Occupational Therapy.Michelle McEvoy

Clinical Specialist for Occupational Therapy.My family, my

friends, crafting, cooking and being organized ( I might be an actual domestic goddess or just boring!!)

My family, my friends, crafting, cooking and being organized ( I might be an actual domestic goddess or just boring!!)

Kate HallsallClinical Specialist Occupational Therapist/

Restart and Recovery Manager

Kate HallsallClinical Specialist Occupational Therapist/

Restart and Recovery Manager

Being in the thick of it -  whether its shouting up for Occupational Therapy in busy places, cheering kids on at footie or watching bands in muddy fields dressed in wellies I’ll be there in the middle of it!!

Being in the thick of it -  whether its shouting up for Occupational Therapy in busy places, cheering kids on at footie or watching bands in muddy fields dressed in wellies I’ll be there in the middle of it!!

Ken LevinsClinical Specialist Occupational Therapist/

Restart and Recovery Manager

Ken LevinsClinical Specialist Occupational Therapist/

Restart and Recovery Manager

There are few things in life that can change someone's day so easily as a smile or the chance to escape their thoughts by laughing. I like to try and make this happen every day, for at least one person.

There are few things in life that can change someone's day so easily as a smile or the chance to escape their thoughts by laughing. I like to try and make this happen every day, for at least one person.

Background to the projectBackground to the project

Teamworking is a challengeIt is a particular challenge

for LCFTUoS experience of online

‘social networkingThis may be a solutionNo precedents set

Teamworking is a challengeIt is a particular challenge

for LCFTUoS experience of online

‘social networkingThis may be a solutionNo precedents set

The Prototype Approachwww.designingprojectmanagement.com/ images

The Prototype Approachwww.designingprojectmanagement.com/ images

The Project PlanThe Project Plan

Pitch idea Seek ‘early adopters’Engage support of learning

technologists at UoSIdentify a relevant social

networking platformEngage usersEvaluate user experienceRefineShare

Pitch idea Seek ‘early adopters’Engage support of learning

technologists at UoSIdentify a relevant social

networking platformEngage usersEvaluate user experienceRefineShare

So what was the feedback?

So what was the feedback?

What was your initial reaction on being invited to join the

project?

What was your initial reaction on being invited to join the

project?

When I received the initial e mail the project sounded beneficial and somewhat pioneering (Michelle McEvoy)

When I received the initial e mail the project sounded beneficial and somewhat pioneering (Michelle McEvoy)

Feeling of excitementHopeful of positive impact on

working practicesPleased to be offered the

opportunity to be part of, and to contribute to, something new and innovative

Feeling of excitementHopeful of positive impact on

working practicesPleased to be offered the

opportunity to be part of, and to contribute to, something new and innovative

Why did you volunteer to be part of the initiative?

Why did you volunteer to be part of the initiative?

A slightly competitive part of my personality wanted to say ‘oh yes I was part of that system being set up’ in the years to come! (Kate Hallsall)

A slightly competitive part of my personality wanted to say ‘oh yes I was part of that system being set up’ in the years to come! (Kate Hallsall)

Sense of challenge associated with being involved in a new initiative

Sense of pride and excitement associated with being in at ‘the start of something big’

Hope of personal and professional development

Opportunity for occupational therapy to be shown as forward thnking and innovative.

Opportunity to be involved in research

Sense of challenge associated with being involved in a new initiative

Sense of pride and excitement associated with being in at ‘the start of something big’

Hope of personal and professional development

Opportunity for occupational therapy to be shown as forward thnking and innovative.

Opportunity to be involved in research

How did you decide if you were a novice or an expert?

How did you decide if you were a novice or an expert?

Perceived self efficacy of pc use

Perceived understanding of terminology

Perceived previous experience of use of social media

Perceived self efficacy of pc use

Perceived understanding of terminology

Perceived previous experience of use of social media

What, at this stage, did you think NING had to offer?

What, at this stage, did you think NING had to offer?

Increased opportunity for networking with colleagues and with the University

Opportunity for knowledge sharing, discussion and debate.

Opportunity for peer support Reduce traveling time to

meetingsFun!

Increased opportunity for networking with colleagues and with the University

Opportunity for knowledge sharing, discussion and debate.

Opportunity for peer support Reduce traveling time to

meetingsFun!

How involved did you become, and what impacted on this?

How involved did you become, and what impacted on this?

‘I must admit I hid at the least conspicuous computer in the office, hiding the screen like a teenager looking at porn!’ (Michelle McEvoy)

‘I must admit I hid at the least conspicuous computer in the office, hiding the screen like a teenager looking at porn!’ (Michelle McEvoy)

Active promoter, based on confidence and commitment to the project (expert)

More involved over time, constrained by access to pc, It issues, and workload

Self perception of NING as ‘play� rather than work lead to reduced participation

Concern that other would judge it as ‘play’ laed to reduced participation

IT problems were a real de-motivatorLack of participation by a critical mass was a

demotivator as the value of the network was reduced.

Active promoter, based on confidence and commitment to the project (expert)

More involved over time, constrained by access to pc, It issues, and workload

Self perception of NING as ‘play� rather than work lead to reduced participation

Concern that other would judge it as ‘play’ laed to reduced participation

IT problems were a real de-motivatorLack of participation by a critical mass was a

demotivator as the value of the network was reduced.

Did you gain anything from your involvement in the project?

Did you gain anything from your involvement in the project?

The lack of response from others on the network was a bit disheartening. When the response did start to trickle through I felt quite excited, like opening birthday cards, and really pleased with myself for conquering the IT system Michelle McEvoy

The lack of response from others on the network was a bit disheartening. When the response did start to trickle through I felt quite excited, like opening birthday cards, and really pleased with myself for conquering the IT system Michelle McEvoy

Opportunity to work with new people, and to further professional thinking

Increased/developed online communication skills

Opened doors to other projectsFacilitated face to face working

relationshipsDeveloped insight into the potential of

technologyDeveloped new practical computer skillsPleased with own level of competence

Opportunity to work with new people, and to further professional thinking

Increased/developed online communication skills

Opened doors to other projectsFacilitated face to face working

relationshipsDeveloped insight into the potential of

technologyDeveloped new practical computer skillsPleased with own level of competence

Given your experiences, do you feel social networking has a place in

facilitating teamworking and collaboration in the NHS?

Given your experiences, do you feel social networking has a place in

facilitating teamworking and collaboration in the NHS?

YES! YES!

Promotion of teamworkDevelopment of the profile and

quality of OT locally and nationallyEnhancement and sharing of best

practiceProvision of support for new staff

membersFostering working relationships and

bringing personalities closer togetherPromotion of discussion and debate

Promotion of teamworkDevelopment of the profile and

quality of OT locally and nationallyEnhancement and sharing of best

practiceProvision of support for new staff

membersFostering working relationships and

bringing personalities closer togetherPromotion of discussion and debate

How could we do it better?

How could we do it better?

I expected there to be challenges in making the network happen and without these challenges I would not have learned anything from my experience. As a result of our experiences I hope we can support others to complete similar projects quicker and more effectively. (Ken Levins)

I expected there to be challenges in making the network happen and without these challenges I would not have learned anything from my experience. As a result of our experiences I hope we can support others to complete similar projects quicker and more effectively. (Ken Levins)

Requires ‘sign up’ from all involved staff, including managers.

IT systems should be tested prior to roll out

Line managers should be briefed as to the purpose of the online network, and levels of participation required.

Have a clear and meaningful reason to use the site.

Allocate time to access the site

Requires ‘sign up’ from all involved staff, including managers.

IT systems should be tested prior to roll out

Line managers should be briefed as to the purpose of the online network, and levels of participation required.

Have a clear and meaningful reason to use the site.

Allocate time to access the site

ConclusionConclusion

There is a role for online networking in the NHS as identified by clinical staff.

The prototyping approach had value in this context

The next stage of the project will build on issues identified during this one.

There is a role for online networking in the NHS as identified by clinical staff.

The prototyping approach had value in this context

The next stage of the project will build on issues identified during this one.

And finally…And finally…

‘NING was a new colleague for me that brought me closer to my work colleagues when the need was there.’ Ken Levins.

‘NING was a new colleague for me that brought me closer to my work colleagues when the need was there.’ Ken Levins.